Smith, Carney react as Albertans vote to stay in Canada

EDMONTON – Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney both responded early Tuesday as returns showed Albertans voting strongly to stay in Canada in the province’s referendum, The Canadian Press reported.

“Albertans have voted for a stronger Alberta in a united Canada,” Smith said. She also posted “Thank you, Alberta!” on social media.

Carney said in a statement that “Albertans made a clear choice.”

Early counts put support for staying in Canada at about 76 per cent and support for a second, binding referendum on leaving at about 24 per cent. Global News reported 1,005,641 votes for remaining and 310,672 for the other option as of 1 a.m. MT. CBC News and CTV News have projected the outcome, and Elections Alberta has not yet posted final results on the question.

Smith has said a simple majority of 50 per cent plus one would decide the question and that there would be no follow-up referendum during her government’s mandate.

Pro-Canada organizer Thomas Lukaszuk said “Don’t mess with Canada!” Christina Fielder of Forever Canadian said of the separatist side, “They were thumped.”

Jeff Rath of the Alberta Prosperity Project said, “We’re not going anywhere.” Let Alberta Decide co-chair Keith Wilson said earlier that he believed the separatist side had won the debate by starting a serious discussion. No formal concession has been reported.

Results on the nine other questions, which cover immigration and constitutional matters, are expected Wednesday.

Our main results story is being updated as counts come in. Earlier, we reported on what Carney said before the vote and on his Calgary rally.

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Via The Canadian Press (Jack Farrell) and Global News. Photo: file photo of the Alberta Legislature Building in Edmonton.